Edward III’s sword
The two-handed sword of Edward III which can be seen in the Chapel hanging in the South Quire Aisle is an impressive reminder of the founder of the College and the Order of the Garter. 6 foot 8 inches long ...
St George and the chapel
There are many mysteries surrounding the identity of St George, but the most commonly believed is that he was a soldier in the Roman Army, part of the imperial guard of Emperor Diocletian. In 302 AD, Diocletian ordered that every ...
Two Ships and a Last of Herrings
A royal castle in Berkshire may not seem the most likely place to find images of medieval ships but two such examples exist within the walls of Windsor Castle. The first, perhaps better described as existing on the walls of ...
The Music of Sidney Campbell
Recently we have been cataloguing and conducting conservation work to the sizable music collection donated to the archives by Sidney Campbell, influential composer of sacred music and organist of St George’s Chapel 1961-1974. This has involved transferring Campbell’s collection to ...
Discoveries in the South Quire Aisle
Visitors to St George’s Chapel towards the end of 2008 would have noticed a considerable amount of scaffolding present in the South Quire Aisle. As part of the ongoing restoration of the Lower Ward, the stone in the aisle was ...
Hobbes’ Leviathan
The full title of this book is Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme and Power of a Common Wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civil, and it was first published in 1651. Titled after the biblical Leviathan, an enormous sea monster representing chaos and ...
Music for Epiphany Image of the month
Established in 1348, one of the key functions of the College of St George was the correct observance of the Divine Liturgy, including the celebrations of mass, and by so doing to enhance the reputation of its founder, Edward III. ...
St Anthony’s pigs
From its foundation until the nineteenth century, the College of St George held land and property throughout the country and it was whilst researching these links that I came across the following porcine tale relating to St Anthony’s Hospital in London. A ...
When to trust women
In a 15th century manuscript in the Archives of Balliol College, Oxford appears the following carol: When these things following be done to our intent, Then put women in trust and confident… When sparrows build churches on a height And ...
A lady’s seal
Attached to a small yet significant piece of parchment in the Archives [SGC XI.G.1] can be found one of the earliest examples of a medieval lady’s seal to survive anywhere in the country. Dating from c.1122-1133, the seal belonged to ...